Greater Jobs Inc. started as a pilot project (Jobs Inc.) of the National Chamber of Commerce in 1943. It was a response to the economic problems which might occur when the war ended because there was a fear of increased unemployment nationwide. It is important to note that Jobs Inc. was part of a community­ wide effort outlined in the Albert Lea Plan (written in 1944) to meet goals of job retention and economic development. Jobs Inc. continued using the Albert Lea Plan as its model with success for years to come.

In 1975, Jobs Inc. directors formed a new corporation that was called the ALIDC (Albert Lea Industrial Development Corporation). Jobs Inc. and the Albert Lea Industrial Development shared the same purposes and goals, as well as board of directors. Due to the similarity of the purposes of both organizations, the board of directors of Jobs Inc. and the ALIDC chose to restructure both entities, so that ultimately only the ALIDC existed. The name of the new corporation would later be called Greater Jobs Incorporated.